Sacked workers at Drivetrain Systems in Albury, have been picketing outside their factory to protest at the job cuts and the loss of their entitlements.
Drivetrain, who called in receivers early last week after the collapse of one of its major clients, claimed there is not enough money to pay out workers' entitlements.
Out of the 230 workers who lost their jobs, 160 workers only have jobs for another eight weeks, as management proceeds to strip the factory of an estimated $17 million in assets.
The sacked Drivetrain workers who are owed $5 million in entitlements are angry that the administrators have retained the entire executive and managerial staff.
AMWU organiser Dave Smith said the workers decided to take action after being told by administrators that they won’t receive their money.
“They’ve been stood down without pay without any hope of seeing their entitlements and in the meantime, the former executives and managers have been kept in their roles by the administrator”.
AMWU New South Wales Secretary Paul Bastian is calling on the Federal Government to ensure the workers get timely assistance.
Workers do not get help through the Federal Government's General Employee Entitlements and Redundancy Scheme (GEERS) until a company is liquidated.
"There have been instances where GEERS has paid the money early, where they have known for certainty people are going, so I'm asking Julia Gillard and the Rudd Government to do whatever they can to fast-track the payments of these people that are going, to alleviate the stress on their families and to alleviate their financial stress," he said.
Workers have been very upset and have criticised the company and the Federal Government for its lack of support.
Worker Tracy Clarke who is a single mother was close to tears.
“I guess I just have to go on the dole, what can I do, I’m a single parent.”
The New South Wales Premier Nathan Rees, is hoping a job summit in Sydney will come up with ways of ensuring that the economic crisis does not become a human crisis as job loses start mounting.
Mr Bastian said the summit could not come at a better time for the people of Albury.
"We need something concrete now," he said.